After figuring out what was going on, Major Bunch blushed with shame. He put down the phone and said to Chuklico who was standing next to him: "Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, the situation is all clear. The reason why the enemy's shelling stopped is entirely because
Their artillery positions were bombed by our powerful air force."
After figuring out the truth, Chuklico asked Major Bunch for his opinion: "Comrade Brigade Commander, what should we do next? After completing the assembly, should we continue to attack the remaining bunkers?"
"Does this need to be said?" Major Bunch raised his voice and said: "The time has come for us to take revenge. We must immediately gather our troops and launch a new offensive against the remaining places."
After the new round of offensive began, not only the tanks and infantry performed extremely bravely, but the German shelling just now caused a lot of casualties to the troops. All the commanders and soldiers were holding back an evil fire in their hearts and wanted to take revenge in the battle.
.
Before the bombardment, the tank would fire at a distance of fifty or sixty meters from the German bunker. This time, it fired directly at a range of nearly ten meters, and the barrel of the gun almost stretched directly out of the bunker's firing hole.
Seeing bunkers being destroyed one after another by Soviet tanks, the German commander was completely panicked. He planned to repeat the same trick, so he ordered the anti-tank soldiers to attack and try to blow up the Soviet tanks that were close to the bunkers. But the anti-tank soldiers had just left.
The bunker was discovered by the Soviet infantry following the tanks, and was immediately shot into pieces by countless bullets.
After the 84th Division broke through the fortress area, it joined forces with the 182nd Division on the outskirts of Merefa Fortress.
After the two armies successfully joined forces, Fomenko ordered Colonel Rusov, who had just taken over the 254th Regiment, to command the troops to attack the railway hub at Merefa from the north, trying to capture the railway hub before the main force arrived.
After Sokov learned that the 84th Division and the 182nd Division had now joined forces outside the fortress, he immediately sent a telegram to the two division commanders, ordering them to build fortifications on the spot and wait for the arrival of the main force.
Putting down the phone, Sokov said to Samyko: "Chief of Staff, except for the 300th Division staying in the current area, the 188th, 254th, 384th Infantry Division and the 98th Guards Infantry Division are all moving towards the Muzha River as soon as possible.
Depart and prepare to participate in the attack on the fortress."
"Comrade Commander," Samyko said hesitantly after hearing Sokov's order: "The road conditions here are not ideal. If so many troops are to cross the Muza River, I'm afraid it won't be easy.
Easy thing.”
"Chief of Staff, how long do you estimate it will take to complete the assembly?"
After calculating in his mind for a while, Sameko replied: "I think it will be noon tomorrow at the earliest before all the troops can reach the designated position."
"Tomorrow at noon?" Hearing the time Samek said, Sokov couldn't help but frowned: "Does it take so long?"
"That's right, Comrade Commander." Samyko quickly explained to Sokov: "After the liberation of Kharkov, the troops of our group army were scattered in many areas in the city. It cannot be said that they can be gathered together. What's more important is
Unfortunately, once we mobilize these troops, we will have to wait for friendly forces to take over our defense, which will prolong the assembly time..."
"Okay, Comrade Chief of Staff, you don't have to say any more." Sokov understood that he couldn't eat hot tofu in a hurry, and stopped urging Sameko, "I know that it is very difficult for the troops to complete the assembly in such a short period of time.
It's an arduous task. But we can't do it without speeding up. If we delay too long, the Germans will have enough time to strengthen their defenses. When we launch the attack, the enemy will be fully prepared and pay the price.
Huge casualties.”
"I understand, Comrade Commander." Samyko doesn't want to capture Merefa Fortress early and open the way to Poltava for friendly forces. But now the troops are too scattered and far away from the fighting area.
Arriving before noon tomorrow is already very fast. In order not to delay the fighter plane, he made his suggestion to Sokov: "Would you like to let Guchakov's infantry brigade attack the railway hub first to attract the German army?"
attention?"
"The 84th and 182nd Divisions have already suffered a lot of casualties after fighting for most of the day." Sokov said to Sameko: "If we send the infantry brigade to attack the railway hub now, we will definitely encounter a crazy counterattack by the German army.
.Although there are two infantry divisions nearby, they have suffered serious attrition during the battle. Even if they see the infantry brigade being attacked by superior German forces, they may not be able to spare the strength to carry out reinforcements."
"What do you mean?"
"Send a telegram to Guchakov," Sokov said: "Let him camp near the two divisions, so that even if they are attacked by the German army at night, they can support each other."
"Okay." Sameko also felt that launching an attack on the railway hub at this time would be difficult to achieve the desired results. After all, without the cooperation of artillery, just relying on the firepower of a few tanks, if he wanted to break through the German peripheral defenses, the casualties of the troops would be high.
Definitely not a small amount: "Then I will send a telegram to Major Guchakov immediately, and they will also arrange defenses outside the fortress tomorrow."
As the order was issued, the two infantry divisions, an infantry brigade, tank troops and artillery that had arrived outside Merefa Fortress all stopped their plans to attack and chose suitable areas to set up camp on the periphery of the fortress.
Konev learned that Sokov's troops had successfully broken through the fortress area and approached the outside of the fortress. He excitedly said to Zakharov: "Comrade Chief of Staff, Sokov's troops have now reached the fortress."
From the periphery, they can attack the fortress at any time. Guess how long it will take them to rush into the fortress?"
"Comrade Commander," Zakharov said with a smile, "I have been to Merefa Fortress, and the defense there is quite strong. If other troops attack, I think it will take a week at the fastest. And Sokov
As for comrade, he is a man who is good at creating miracles, and he may be able to break into the fortress in just one day."
However, the two of them waited and waited, and when it got dark, there was still no battle report from Sokov.
Zakharov couldn't sit still. He said to Konev: "Comrade Commander, the reason why Sokov has not responded for a long time is that I guess he is counting the results of the battle. It won't be long before he will report to us an alarming report."
The results of the battle."
Unexpectedly, after waiting for another hour or two, there was still no news about Sokov. This time Zakharov couldn't sit still and quickly called a communications staff officer and ordered him to get through to Sokov's command.
Department phone number.
After the call was connected, Zakharov did not beat around the bush, but asked directly: "Comrade Sokov, I want to ask you, how is your progress? Have you stormed into the fortress?"
"Attack the fortress?" Sokov was stunned when he heard Zakharov ask this question, and then replied: "Comrade Commander of the Front Army, I think you may have made a mistake. I ordered the troops to stop long before dark.
Attack and set up camp outside Merefa Fortress."
"What, you didn't launch an attack on the fortress?" Zakharov asked in surprise.
"Yes, we did not launch an attack on the fortress." Sokov explained to Zakharov: "The two infantry divisions currently stationed outside the fortress suffered considerable casualties in the battle that ended not long ago.
, it is obviously unrealistic to launch an attack on the fortress with their strength."
Zakharov asked with a straight face: "Then when do you plan to attack the enemy?"
"My main force will not arrive until noon tomorrow." Sokov guessed from Zakharov's tone that she was very angry at the time, and quickly said: "In this way, we will have enough troops, and we can
Launch a comprehensive offensive against the enemy's fortresses and railway junctions."
Knowing that Sokov's main force was still on the way, Zakharov asked again: "After your main force arrives, how many divisions do you plan to use to participate in this attack?"
"Together with the troops currently stationed outside the fortress, the troops participating in the offensive tomorrow will reach six infantry divisions, one infantry brigade, and several tank brigades and artillery divisions."
"With so many troops, are you sure you can capture the fortress?"
Sokov did not answer the question immediately, but asked instead: "Although I have not seen that fortress, according to my experience, the enemy's defense is very strong. Even with the support of artillery and tanks, we have to seize the fortress."
It’s not an easy thing.”
When Zakharov heard this, he immediately understood what Sokov needed: "Comrade Sokov, if I guess correctly, you want us to provide you with air support, right?"
"In addition to the air force, there is also artillery." Sokov knew very well that this fortress battle was not easy to fight, so he must make sufficient preparations in advance: "First, we must establish an artillery group, carry out intensive assaults by artillery and aviation, and suppress enemy artillery.
It was matched with the firepower of pursuit artillery. Judging from today's battle, due to the sudden artillery attack by the German army, our attack almost failed. Fortunately, with the timely support of the air force, we were able to avert the danger."
"Wait a minute, Comrade Sokov." Sokov made a request. Zakharov did not dare to make the decision without authorization, and quickly said to him: "I will ask Comrade Commander for his opinion."
Zakharov covered the microphone with his hand, reported Sokov's situation to Konev sitting aside, and finally asked: "Comrade Commander, I wonder if you agree with Sokov's request to provide him with air force and
Artillery support?”
"There has been no fighting recently, and the air force's combat mission is not heavy. It is not a big problem to provide air support for Sokov's troops when they attack the fortress. But this artillery..." Konev frowned: "The front army
Most of our artillery is deployed north of Kharkov, so it may not be easy to mobilize it."
"Yes, Comrade Commander." Zakharov agreed with Konev's statement: "Although the distance from the north of the city to Sokov's combat area is only more than 40 kilometers. But because of
The roads were severely damaged and it was very difficult for vehicles towing artillery vehicles to pass."
Konev stood up and walked back and forth in the room with his hands behind his back. His mind began to think about how to provide sufficient artillery support for Sokov's troops. After walking back and forth for two or three times, Konev stopped and said to
Zakharov said: "Comrade Chief of Staff, the one closest to Sokov is General Shumilov's 7th Guards Army."
"Yes, the current location of the 7th Guards Army is no more than five kilometers away from Sokov's troops."
"It will be easy to handle within five kilometers." Konev quickly walked back to the table, pointed at the map and said to Zakharov: "Chief of Staff, please contact General Shumilov immediately and order him
All the artillery of the army group will be transferred to Sokov's command."
"What, you want to mobilize the artillery units of the 7th Guards Army?" Zakharov was shocked: "Comrade Commander, can General Shumilov agree?"
"You have to agree if you agree, and you have to agree if you don't agree." Konev said domineeringly: "At most, after our artillery troops are transferred from the north tomorrow, we can re-equipped him with two artillery divisions."
"That's okay." Zakharov nodded and said, "As long as Sokov has enough artillery, he can launch an attack on the fortress this morning." After saying this, he loosened his grip.
The hand holding the microphone said, "Comrade Sokov, I have reported your situation to Commander Konev. Currently, the artillery of the front army is still north of Kharkov, and it cannot be lost in a hurry..."
When Sokov heard this, he couldn't help sighing and said regretfully: "That's such a pity."
"Comrade Sokov, don't worry, I haven't finished speaking yet." Zakharov continued: "Although the artillery of the front army cannot support you, Commander Konev has already ordered General Shumilov to
Order him to mobilize the artillery of the group army to assist you in the fortress attack."
When he learned that Konev planned to lend him the artillery of the 7th Guards Army, he couldn't help but be overjoyed and said repeatedly: "Comrade Chief of Staff, thank you very much. With these artillery, I believe that our battle to attack the fortress will become easier."
It’s easier.”
"In addition to the artillery, there is also the air force." Zaharov continued: "Since the main fighting has stopped, our 5th Air Force Group Army has no combat missions now. When you launch an attack tomorrow, it will be up to them to cooperate with you.
No problems at all.”
Seeing that the problems of the artillery and air force had been solved, Sokov finally let go of the huge stone in his heart. He spoke to the microphone and said to Zakharov: "Comrade Chief of Staff, please report to Commander Konev, our 27th Group Army
We will definitely live up to his expectations and will capture the Merefa Fortress and railway hub occupied by the enemy in the shortest possible time, and open the road to Poltava for friendly forces."
After Sokov put down the phone, he said to Samyko: "Comrade Chief of Staff, please inform the division commanders immediately. The brigade commanders will rush to the headquarters as soon as possible. We need to hold an emergency meeting to select the most powerful attack direction to ensure that we
The victory of the army."
Samyko had just heard some of the conversation between Sokov and Zakharov. He knew that his superiors planned to send artillery and air force to help capture the fortress, and he couldn't help but feel happy. After hearing Sokov's instructions, he quickly agreed: "
Okay, Comrade Commander, I will immediately arrange for telegraph operators to send telegrams to the division commanders and brigade commanders, informing them to rush to the headquarters for a meeting."
"What about Colonel Weisbach, the commander of the 300th Division?" Samek asked Sokov tentatively: "Do I need to notify him to come to the meeting?"
"No, no, no," Sokov waved his hands and said, "Let them continue to stay at Fesky Collective Farm. It will not be too late to mobilize them when necessary."
"Okay then." Samek said: "Then I will immediately notify all division and brigade commanders except Colonel Weisbach, and ask them to rush to the group army headquarters as soon as possible for a meeting to assign new combat tasks."